Warm regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winnie Brinks<\/strong> Website:<\/strong> SenatorBrinks.com<\/a> MICHIGAN SENATE | DISTRICT 29<\/p>\n<\/div> To Comment on Legislation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your opinion counts, and I value your input. Contact me if you want to express tour opinion or ask a questions about pending legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If You Need Help<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My staff and I are here to help you resolve problems that can be addressed through state government. Please do not hesitate to contact my office, so we can try to assist you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To Suggest a New Law<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have any ideas for new laws, or ways to improve or repeal existing ones, share your suggestions with me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are warning seniors to protect themselves and their personal information from potential scams and high-pressure sales tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fraudsters posing as Medicare \u201crepresentatives\u201d are calling unsuspecting consumers about their Medicare coverage and asking for Medicare ID numbers or other personal information, such as a Social Security Number or date of birth. Once the scammers have this information, they can use it to make unauthorized DIFS and MDHHS have some important tips for protecting yourself: Our health care professionals and public servants have been hard at work since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic making sure that everyone has access to important information and resources. Even as most people are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, it\u2019s important that you continue to do your part to stay safe and help stop the spread of this virus and its variants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit Michigan.gov\/Coronavirus<\/a> to find the latest information, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, testing sites, and vaccination locations near you or call the COVID-19 Hotline at (888) 535-6136.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re feeling emotional distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, help is available.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Michigan Stay Well Counseling <\/strong>via the COVID-19 Hotline<\/em> National Disaster Distress Helpline <\/strong>Call (800) 985-5990 <\/strong>| Available 24\/7<\/p>\n\n\n\n Community Health Centers are incredible resources that help ensure residents stay healthy by providing low- or no-cost health care to residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a variety of community health centers across Kent County, each of which may have different capacities or services available. For the most accurate information, it is best to visit their website or call to learn more. Federally Qualified Health Centers \u2014 or those which are recognized as legitimate by the federal government and receive funding accordingly \u2014 in our district include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Catherine\u2019s Health Center<\/strong> Cherry Street Services<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n No one should go without access to healthy meals. If you, or a senior you know, are struggling to pay for food, Meals on Wheels can help. This program provides five nutritious meals per week to homebound, older adults. They also offer liquid nutrition for those who are unable to eat solid food and who have a prescription from their physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To qualify for Meals on Wheels, an adult must be:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 60 years of age or older; For more information or to determine if you are eligible for Meals on Wheels, contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Meals on Wheels Western Michigan Website: <\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div> The cost of prescription drugs has been rising for far too long. From 1980 to 2018, prescription drug spending increased more than tenfold, and now, per capita spending has increased to more than $1,000 a year for American families. In fact, Michigan families are vastly overpaying for necessary medications, such as insulin. The cost of insulin has risen to more than $600 per month for some prescriptions, while Canadians are paying just $71 for the same prescription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s clear that something must be done, and we\u2019re working to be part of the solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In February, I led on legislation to tackle the rising cost of your medications by creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The bills would establish a board to directly reduce costs and increase transparency and oversight over what you are charged for your meds. These boards are becoming more and more common across the country, with Maryland providing the outline for a successful affordability board. Medications are critical to the people who need them, but they\u2019re useless if they can\u2019t afford them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot accept a reality where medication prices are astronomically raised with little-to-no explanation. Consumers must have a process to hold these corporations accountable, and it must start with our legislators in Lansing. While this legislation has not yet been passed, we have provided a blueprint for how Michiganders can find relief for astronomically rising drug prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I look forward to continuing work on this legislation and finding a solution that benefits residents of the 29th District.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Friend, I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe and healthy. As your state senator, I\u2019m working hard to increase access to affordable, quality health care, as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newsletter"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Senator](\"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/12\/Brinks-signature.jpeg\")
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State Senator
29th District<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/senatedems.com\/brinks\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/06\/MDS_Brinks_DSC5456_2.jpg\")
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Email:<\/strong> SenWBrinks@senate.michigan.gov<\/a>
Phone:<\/strong> (855) DIST029<\/strong> or (855) 347-8029<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nREASONS TO CONTACT MY OFFICE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nProtect Yourself From Medicare Scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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changes to your Medicare plan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Never give your Medicare number or other personal information to an unknown caller<\/strong>. You are always able to get information on Medicare plans without providing an ID number. The only time the Medicare ID number is required is when you are actively enrolling in a plan.
\u2022 Do not give out your personal information if someone calls or visits your home and says they\u2019re from Medicare<\/strong>. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will never call or send someone to your home to ask for personal information or check your Medicare number.
\u2022 Don\u2019t trust caller ID<\/strong>. Scammers use technology to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate business or government agency.
\u2022 Ignore anyone who calls saying you must join their prescription drug plan, or you will lose your Medicare coverage<\/strong>. While it is true that there may be a penalty if you delay enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D), that coverage is voluntary.
\u2022 Don\u2019t trust mailers that appear to be government communications but are advertisements for private companies<\/strong>. These mailers will sometimes have a disclaimer, but it is buried in small print.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCOVID-19 INFORMATION & RESOURCES<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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Call (888) 535-6136 <\/strong>Press \u201c8<\/strong>\u201d to talk to a Michigan Stay Well counselor Counselors are available 24\/7 | Confidential and free<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSENIOR SERVICE NUMBERS TO ASSIST YOU<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAffordable Screenings for Better Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
catherineshc.org<\/a> | (616) 336-8800
Creston Main Campus:
1211 Lafayette Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505<\/p>\n\n\n\n
cherryhealth.org<\/a> | (616) 965-8200
100 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMEALS ON WHEELS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u2022 Homebound (e.g. unable to leave home without assistance and unable to drive);
\u2022 Unable to cook for themself;
\u2022 Have no one willing or available to prepare meals on a regular basis; and,
\u2022 Able to feed themself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MealsOnWheelsWesternMichigan.org<\/a>
Email: info@mowwm.org<\/a> <\/strong>| Phone: (616) 459-3111<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLEGISLATORS INTRODUCE BILLS TO REVIEW PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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